Studied by 2 people
Mr birling - intro
greedy capitalist
obsessed with status
priestley uses birling to criticise upper class
doesnt take responisibility
1 st para. “heavy looking rather portentuous man”
indicates he conducts himself with a pompous air, thinks hes superior
“fiddlesticks”
dismissive noun to describe notion of war creates dramatic irony + shows audience ignorance, highlights foolishness
“ im still on the bench, maybe something about a warrant”
“ alderman for years and lord mayor 2 years ago”
desperate to impress, thinks his status exempts him from any wrong doing
2nd para “looks forward to a time when crofts and birlings… are working together , for lower costs and higher prices “
selfish + inconsiderate, values business and financial gain over family relationship , profit and personal gain are more important. priestley conveying message of problems of capitalism
“its my job to keep labour costs down “
foil for sheila when reacting to their actions. mr b is dismissive , sheila feels remorse
3rd para “ isnt the slightest reason my daughter should be dragged into this “
trying to protect family reputation, never been good counsel for his children
“therell be a public scandal” “ ive got to cover this uo”
feels little remorse, only worried about image and societys judgement
conclusion
through mr b , priestley encourages audience to criticise upper class nature + learn from mr bs mistakes
sheila birling - intro
priestley uses sheila to show younger gens willingness to change + present socialst view of responsibility, grows in maturity throughout the play, forming her own ideals
para 1 - “ i couldnt be sorry for her “ “she was a very pretty girl, that didnt make it any better”
jealousy and entitlement
“very pleased with life and rather excited” “ mummy “ “daddy”
semantic field of childish language establishes her as immature and sheltered .
para 2 - “so im really responsible” “ im ashamed of it “ “ these girls arent cheap labour theyre people”
emotive reaction to death contrasted by mr B. presents optimistic view that youth are more open to accepting consequences
“if i could help her now i would”
shows remorse
para 3 - “ why you fool he knows” “ that wont bring eva smith back to life “
criticises family , stands up for herself and beliefs- confidence and maturity
para 4 - “i think it was cruel and vile “
“ i behaved badly too, i know i did”
“the point is , you dont seem to have learnt anything”
accepts all responsibility + urges family to, takes over inspectors role when he leaves
conclusion
shows priestleys belief that young have potential to produce a better society., development shows audience that change is realistic and beneficial.
gerald intro
callous and sycophantic. central to conveying socialist message of collective responsibility.
para 1 - “ easy well bred young man about town”
representative of upper class
“hear hear”
applauds mr b’s idea of lower wages and higher prices. shows priestleys belief that upper class ideals revolve around money not people.
“ were respectable citizens not criminals”
thinks status exempts him from wrongdoing
“we can keep it from him”
wants to protect his own reputation
para 2- “ women ought to be protected against unpleasant and disturbing things “ “if possible yes’
connotations of unsettling events, adopting commmon edwardian view that women are to weak to cope with this.
“ she looked young and fresh “ “ i hate thos hard eyed dough faced women”
only noticed daisy for her looks, only believes women had value to him if they were attractive. criticism of others shows narcissistic views
para 3 - “ hoax”
first to present idea of hoax, suggesting to audience that hes in denial of actions causing harm,
“ everythings alright now” + offers sheila ring
more concerned with himself and own relationships. could lead audience to dislike gerald, creating opportunity for priestley to highlight his ideas on problems of capitalism
sheila
foil for gerland, sheila feels remorse and changes, Gerald doesnt
conclusion
helps priestleys mockery of capitalism by showing his corrupt actions
mrs birling - intro
central to representing upper class and symbolic of social elite. enphasises older stubborness and reluctance to change
para 1 “i dont think you ought to talk business on an occasion like this “ “ it would be better if sheila didnt listen to this “
most aware of etiquette rules and social constraints
“as if a girl of that sort would ever refuse money””girls of that class”
dismissive of lower glass, looks down on them , cant even name the class. stereotyping based on class
para 2 - “you have no power to make me change my mind”
“ your quite wrong supposing i shall regret what i did”
microcosm of stubborn older gen. contrasted by sheila and erics change. remains stuck in stagnant views . believes she holds no responsibility and is most powerful
para 3 - “a piece of gross impertinence’
exposes upper class ignorance, doesnt accept any responsibility
“she had only herself to blame””i did nothing im ashamed of”
no regret in denial of aid,believes eva made a concsious choice
conclusions
constant theme of class superiority portrays little growth and remorse.
eric intro -
initially shy and immature, develops into more mature and serious .
para 1 -”half shy half assertive”
possibly foreshadows there are 2 sides to him - shy has connotations of nervousness, juxtaposes implications of dominance from assertive
“just let me finish eric”
lack of mentor or good counsel as mr b shuts him down
para 2 “ i was in that state when a chap easily turns nasty”
tries to excuse sexual exploitation - emphasizes agressiveness
“ i wasnt in love with her or anything, she was a good sport “
emphasizes mindset of high society, use people for own good. “sport” connotes activity for entertainment purely for erics desire
“ she didnt want to marry me, said i didnt love her”
shows priestleys message that status and wealth is unimportant compared to actions
para 3- “ i didnt even remember - thats the hellish thing”
highlights inner turmoil and regret when realising guilt, unlike mr b, conflict between old and young
“you killed them both - damn you “
shows compassion for life lost as a consequence of their ignorance
“ he was our police inspector alright’
show spassion in relaying inspectors message and rebelling against ignorance
conclusion
eric encapsulates inspectors significance and portrays idea that willingess to accept responisbility is more prevalent in youth
